3D illusion frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a display frame and base which provides for easily alternating the orientation of the display frame with respect to the base between a horizontal display format and a vertical display format, and which frame suggests the illusion of depth of a displayed image. The base, additionally, provides a substantially upright broad front face suitable for presentation of graphic or textual information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is directed to a display frame which may alternatively be mounted in either a horizontal display configuration or a vertical display configuration, including a base having a front face suitable for presentation of graphic or textual information, and which frame suggests the illusion of depth of a displayed image object.

[0003] 2. Objects and Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is directed to a display frame including curved front and rear walls, a viewing aperture and a base having a front surface suitable for display of textual or graphic information. The orientation of the display frame upon the base may be alternated between vertical and horizontal display formats by means of removable mounting pegs which attach to the walls of the display frame at predetermined locations.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a display frame removably mounted to a base for easily alternating the orientation of the frame with respect to the base between a horizontal display format and a vertical display format.

[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide a display frame which suggests the illusion of depth of a displayed image.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a base having a substantially upright broad front face suitable for presentation of graphic or textual information.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simply constructed, frame for display of various popular size photographs and similarly sized images.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display frame and base which are relatively inexpensive to fabricate.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive display frame and base suitable for use as advertising and mass marketing vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in the horizontal display format configuration.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a second preferred embodiment the present invention in the vertical display format configuration.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of a first preferred embodiment the present invention in the horizontal display format configuration.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of a second preferred embodiment the present invention in the vertical display format configuration.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a second preferred embodiment the present invention in the vertical display format configuration.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the base of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective detail view of the vertical display configuration mounting peg of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of the horizontal display configuration mounting peg of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the base of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 10A is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in the horizontal display format configuration.

[0021]FIG. 10B is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in the vertical display format configuration.

[0022]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 10A embodiment taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10A.

[0023]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 10B embodiment taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10B.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0025] With respect to FIG. 1 a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present 3D Illusion Frame 10 invention is shown in a horizontal display configuration. The display frame housing 20 includes a curved front wall 22 which surrounds a viewing aperture 28 through which an image object 90 may be viewed. Joined to front wall 22 along one edge is a first rear wall 24, and joined to wall 22 along an opposite edge is a second rear wall 26. Display frame housing 20 is supported upon base 30 by two mounting pegs 70. Base 30 includes a front surface 32 upon which textual or graphic material 40 may optionally be displayed. Front surface 32 extends substantially across the width of base 30, and forms a predetermined acute angle from the vertical, which tilts front surface 32 a predetermined angle away from a viewer facing the front wall 22 of display frame housing 20.

[0026] Display frame housing 20 may alternatively be repositioned in a vertical display configuration, as shown in FIG. 2. The display frame housing 20 may easily be reconfigured between horizontal and vertical configuration, as will be discussed below.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10A and 11, a first embodiment of the 3D Illusion Frame 10 includes display frame 20 in a horizontal configuration removably attached to base 30 by two first mounting pegs 70. With particular reference to FIG. 8, pegs 70 include an upper portion 74 of predetermined diameter and a lower portion 76 having a predetermined diameter smaller than the diameter of portion 74, and further having a different predetermined cross-sectional shape and size. A shoulder 72 is formed at the junction of upper portion 74 and lower portion 76 of peg 70. Upper portion 74 of peg 70 includes projection 80 which forms curved mating surface 84. The curvature of surface 84 is adapted to be complimentary to the shape or curvature of the outer surface 50 of the second rear wall 26 of display frame 20. Pin 86 extends from mating surface 84 and is adapted to snugly, but removably engage positioning holes 36, 38 formed in wall 26. The upper portion 74 of peg 70 includes lip 82 and groove 88 which are adapted to removably engage the edge of wall 26. Display frame 20 is assembled to first mounting pegs 70 by placing the edge of rear wall 26 into groove 88 and rotating display frame 20 about the edge of wall 26 relative to peg 70 so as to engage pin 86 in one of the positioning holes 36, 38. By reversing this operation, frame 20 may be disassembled from first mounting pegs 70. Pin 86 and positioning holes 36, 38 have complimentary shape and size to engage snugly, but removably.

[0028] Further referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10A and 11, the lower portion 76 of each of first mounting pegs 70 is received in sockets 54, 56 formed in the top surface 34 of base 30. Sockets 54, 56 are adapted to be complimentary to the shape and size of lower portion 76 of each peg 70. Each of pegs 70 is inserted into sockets 54, 56 until peg shoulder 72 contacts the top surface 34 of base 30. The intersection of the long axis of first mounting peg 70 and the chord of the curvature of mating surface 84 forms a first predetermined acute angle, and when inserted into base 30, the long axis of peg 70 forms a second predetermined acute angle from the vertical, which angles together tilt the display frame 20 a third predetermined angle away from a viewer facing its front wall 22.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10B and 12, a second embodiment of the 3D Illusion Frame 10 includes display frame 20 placed in a vertical configuration, and removably attached to base 30 by two second mounting pegs 58. With particular reference to FIG. 7, each second mounting peg 58 includes an upper portion 62 of predetermined diameter, preferably of a cylindrical shape, and a lower portion 64 having a predetermined diameter smaller than that of portion 62 and further having a different predetermined cross-sectional shape and size. A shoulder 60 is formed at the junction of upper portion 62 and lower portion 64 of peg 58. Upper portion 62 of each second mounting peg 58 includes slot 66 having floor 68 which is adapted to compliment the shape and thickness of the first rear wall 24 and the second rear wall 26 of display frame 20 in order to receive either of these two rear walls. Slot 66 of peg 58 is sized and configured to snugly, but removably engage the first inner surface 46, second inner surface 48, first outer surface 50, and second outer surface 52 of rear walls 24, 26, respectively. Display frame housing 20 is mounted on second pegs 58 by inserting a curved edge of rear wall 24 or rear wall 26 into slot 66 until the floor 68 is contacted. By reversing this operation, frame 20 may be disassembled from second mounting pegs 58.

[0030] Further referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10B and 12, the lower portion 64 of each of second mounting pegs 58 is received in sockets 54, 56 formed in the top surface 34 of base 30. Sockets 54, 56 are adapted to conform to the shape and size of lower portion 64 of peg 58, which is admitted into either of sockets 54, 56 until peg shoulder 60 contacts the top surface 34 of base 30. When inserted into base 30, the long axis of each peg 58 forms a predetermined acute angle from the vertical, which tilts the display frame 20 a predetermined angle away from a viewer facing its front wall 22.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, display frame 20 includes an image object 90, typically a photograph or graphic selected by the user. Optionally, the image object 90 may be enclosed in a transparent or translucent holder having a front leaf 92 and a rear leaf 94. With particular reference to FIG. 11, the image object 90 may be positioned in a forward position within frame 20 so as to essentially conform with the inner surface 42 of front wall 22. Alternatively, and with particular reference to FIG. 12, the image object 90 may be positioned in a rearward position within frame 20 so as to essentially conform with the inner surfaces 46, 48 of rear walls 24, 26, respectively. When viewed through viewing aperture 28 with the image object 90 in a rearward position within frame 20 a visual suggestion of depth may be perceived. As has been described herein, the display frame 20 may be positioned on base 30 to display an image object 90 in either a horizontal format or a vertical format at the discretion of the user, and the display frame 20 may easily be alternated between the horizontal format configuration or the vertical format configuration as required by the format of the image object 90.

[0032] The 3D Illusion Frame 10 is preferably fabricated of plastic, however any material having the required strength and rigidity may be used.

[0033] It will be understood by one skilled in the art that sockets 54, 56 and lower portion 76 of first mounting peg 70, and the lower portion 64 of second mounting peg 58, may each be keyed so as to admit mounting pegs 58, 70 in only selected orientations. It will also be understood by one skilled in the art that second mounting peg 58 and first mounting peg 70 may be fabricated as a single integrated structure combining both functions of supporting display frame 20 in the horizontal and in the vertical orientations, and further that the two peg mounting configuration may be replaced by a single structure. It will further be understood by one skilled in the art that walls 22, 24, 26 need not be curved, but may be planar, and that walls 24, 26 may be extended to form a single wall. It will additionally be appreciated by one skilled in the art that walls 22, 24 and walls 22, 26 need not be joined along a common edge, but may each be joined to an intervening structure to increase the distance between walls 22, 24 and walls 22, 26, respectively.

[0034] It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations as they are outlined within the description above and within the claims appended hereto. While the preferred embodiments and application of the invention have been described, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects and features of the present invention are only limited as set forth in the claims appended hereto. 

We claim:
 1. A display frame comprising: a housing having a first wall, second wall positioned opposite to the first wall; an aperture formed in said first wall; a base; at least one mounting peg extending upward from the base; said second wall having a portion adapted for vertical mounting to said base; said second wall having a portion adapted for horizontal mounting to said base; and said housing positioned either horizontally or vertically on at least one said mounting peg.
 2. The display frame of claim 1 wherein said at least one mounting peg is removably connected to the base.
 3. The display frame of claim 1 wherein said housing is removably connected to said at least one mounting peg.
 4. A display frame comprising: a front wall having an aperture formed therein; said front wall having at least one substantially straight edge; a rear wall having at least one substantially straight edge; said front wall and said rear wall being joined along at least one of their respective substantially straight edges; a base including a top surface and a front surface; a first mounting peg adapted to matingly connect to said rear wall; a second mounting peg adapted to matingly connect to said rear wall; the top surface of the base adapted to receive the first peg and the second peg; the first and the second peg being mounted on the top surface of the base; said rear wall mountable on the first mounting peg in a first orientation; and said rear wall mountable on the second mounting peg in a second orientation.
 5. The display frame of claim 4 wherein said front wall is curved.
 6. The display frame of claim 4 wherein said rear wall is curved.
 7. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the first mounting peg is removably mounted to the base.
 8. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the second mounting peg is removably mounted to the base.
 9. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the first mounting peg is removably mated to said rear wall.
 10. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the second mounting peg is removably mated to said rear wall.
 11. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the display frame is fabricated of plastic.
 12. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the front surface of the base includes a graphic display.
 13. The display frame of claim 4 wherein the front surface of the base includes a text message. 